The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-05

OF them. The previous rates, he said,
had placed his establishment in fair
competition with all other parts OF the
country. He had, during the past
year, q contract with the government
to furnish supplies in his line. When
asked to submit bids for the future, he
was compelled to decline, under the
present regulation of rates. They had
no complaint OF any kind against the
roads entering Nashville. as treatment
by them was fair and thoroughly salts
factory. They have been compelled
to pay five cents in order to equalizs
rates between Texas and st. Louis
points. He was not aware that conces.
sions by railroads in the past were TO
him especially. He only knew that
when he approached them and asked
for rates whereby he could meet com.
petition, he generally got it. The
amount Of capital invested in his bust
ness was $400, 900, in addition TO which
there was surplus OF $4,000.
DIR. WILLIAM MORROW,
one OF the lessees OF the State peni-
tentisry at Nashville, testified that his
concern turned out upwards oil 10000
wagons per year. These were shipped
to all parts of the country, under the
influence of advantageous rethipping
rates. He also handled great deal OF
marble, which brought him into COM
petition to large degree with Yer
mont. The uncertainty of rates has
operated to his unjury during the last
sixty days. He had never gone to
railroads with a fair and reasonable
request and been turned away unsat-
isfisd. While all he asked was not
granted in every instance, sill there
was no complaint to make on that
score. By competitive rates he meant
this: There are other wagon manu-
factories in the United States, and
they are shipping into our territory,
We also ship into theirs, and this
state Of affairs is governed entirely by
competitive rates. This is al
most exclusively by rail, as
there is no important market to
be reached byIwater. The trade is prin-
cipslly in the Southern States, and
comes into heavy competition with
Louisville and other manufacturing
points. Under the present adjust
ment of rates, he and associates have
been enabled to do this, but a uni
form or regular schedule of rates
would not be just to all parties. He
did not mean to say they had been
favored with discrimination as against
others. Tariff rates are open ut the
railroad Office, on the bill OF lading,
and they have never received rebates.
At Nashville, the competition between
foreign makers and establishment
represented by witness is about the
same, with difference in local favor,
probably in a wholesale way, Of from
g to s..
]. II. WILKES,
of Nashville, a grain and hay
merchant, testified as to the ad-
vantsges Of railway rates in his bust
ness. The competitive rates enabled
him to enter foreign markets which,
by uniform arrangement, would be
impossible. Ee had been driven out
of Augusta frequently by the ocean
competition from Baltimore. sour
grain is sold in Southern markets
mostly through brokers. / was in
formed yesterday by one of these
agents that st. Louis had sold wheat
in Selms 2 cents below our price. We
have never, 30 far as / know, had any
special advantages over competing
markets, but have simply been work
ing on a close market. In order to
compete with boats running on the
Ohio we would bs compelled to have
lower rates to Pensacola, New Orleans
and Mobile"
]. H. FALL,
a wholesale hardware merchant at
Nashville, stated that the business OF
his firm was principally with all the
Southern States. Heretofore they had
been granted rates to compete with |
other dealers elsewhere. He individ- |
ually was interested in the Laurel
Cotton Mills, st Shathmore, Tenn.
These mills had sold their entire pro.
duction for the next two years to New
York. II shipping rates were raised |
over those contemplated in the con.
tract of sale it would destroy all the |
profits and even break them up. His
business could not stand any advance |
OF rates. The profits accrued entirely |
through the volume of trade, and this |
cut off from Southern markets would |
prove fatal to their interests. 'If local |
rates reduced on all the lines were |
added together and made no more in |
the aggregate than the present through |
rates it would not affect US much. II |
the through rate for horse shoes from
New York to Lagrange, Ga, were
result disastrously to our business"
GEN. JOHN F. wHELEss,
of Nashville, presented a paper from |
merchants and manufacturers of East |
Tennessee, asking for the suspension
of the long and short haul clause.
He stated that he was president of
furniture company and also connected |
with the Belmont flooring mill. Both |
of those enterprises were barely able |
to compete with other similar institu-
tions, under a n equitable arrange
ment of rates by railroads over which |
the products Of his concern, were |
shipped.
Mr.. @. o. THOMAS,
a merchant miller of Murfreesboro,
was next introduced. His business |
was with Southern markets, including |
coast points. To meet competition,
he has been granted no
special or favored privileges
in rates over other millerS. The
rate to ccalt points, being great dis
lance, were less than to intermediate